Craig Axler prepares for his official installation as rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Fulton on March 23. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1994 with a degree in music therapy, but within a few years, he changed course. "I felt like I had a calling."

Craig Axler prepares for his official installation as rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Fulton on March 23. He graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1994 with a degree in music therapy, but within a few years, he changed course. "I felt like I had a calling." (Staff photo by Jen Rynda)

Craig Axler is looking forward to his official installation as rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Fulton on March 23. "All of life is stringing together these moments. It's a moment for me, personally, and a moment for the congregation."

Craig Axler is looking forward to his official installation as rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Fulton on March 23. "All of life is stringing together these moments. It's a moment for me, personally, and a moment for the congregation." (Staff photo by Jen Rynda)

With Temple Isaiah in the background, Craig Axler is ready to be installed as the third rabbi in the history of the synagogue, which was founded in 1973. "My immediate goal is to get to know the congregation."

With Temple Isaiah in the background, Craig Axler is ready to be installed as the third rabbi in the history of the synagogue, which was founded in 1973. "My immediate goal is to get to know the congregation." (Staff photo by Jen Rynda)

Craig Axler is the third rabbi at Temple Isaiah since it was founded in 1973. Axler moved to Howard County from Pennsylvania to take the job in July and will be officially installed on March 23 in a ceremony in the Fulton synagogue combining ritual, entertainment, education and food. Read...Photos by Jen Rynda